Exploratory study of the network structure of a USENET newsgroup : a social network analysis approach.

Abstract

With the increasing use of internet, sociologists have recognised that it has become an avenue embedded with new opportunities for forming social communities on the web. Through these cyber interactions, naturally occurring social communities takes place. Previous studies on the structure of USENET Newsgroup have confirmed that different types of relationships and social support exist in newsgroup. The networks of relationships constitute a valuable resource, 'the collectivity-owned capital' - social capital.